In my previous article, How To Live the Christian Life, I discussed 3 principles for living the Christian life.
Through these principles we saw that God reflects the fruit of our new nature in heaven (new man), to our fleshly mind, will and emotions on earth (old man)— as we read the Bible (2 Corinthians 3:18).
One fruit He reflects is meekness. What is meekness?
Meekness is having a SERVANT’S HEART. The power of meekness can only be understood in the light of God’s story.
The Bible tells us God’s story.
God’s story is a LOVE STORY about a King and a kingdom lost due to sin. It’s about what the King did to restore the kingdom and its citizens to Himself.
What did He do?
Being God, he humbled Himself and became a man. He paid for man’s sin by dying on a cross!
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.Dear readers, do you understand the significance of this story? That God Himself came and died for the sins of men! This is the ultimate example of servanthood.
Philippians 2:5-8
God didn’t think, “Hey, I’m God, I don’t have to do this. I didn’t sin, they did. Let them deal with it.” No, He put aside His greatness, His position and became a servant to men.
So now, if you desire to be obedient and reflect God’s character, you must become a servant too!
The Bible says to:
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; and all these things shall be added unto you.Seeking God's Kingdom and His righteousness means that you need to:
Matthew 6:33
1. Spend time in God’s Word.
You seek God’s Kingdom when you allow His righteousness to be formed in your mind, will and emotions.
Dissolve any fear you have by spending time in the Bible and meditating on God’s Word. Learn to trust God in every aspect of your life.
Jesus helps you in this endeavor and expresses a servant’s heart when He invites you to REST in Him.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; FOR I AM MEEK AND LOWLY IN HEART: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.2. As God’s fruit is formed in you, express it in service to others.
Matthew 11:28-30
Become aware of your natural inclinations and gifts. Let the work God is doing in you spill over into service for others through this gift.
Did you know that God prepared works in advance for you to do based on your personality? If you don’t know what those works are, read my article, How To Find Your Specific Purpose in Life.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath BEFORE ORDAINED that we should walk in them.Conclusion
Ephesians 2:10
Meekness is a foundational fruit because it expresses God’s story. It is foundational to who he is.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.For God so loved, that He humbled Himself and became a servant.
John 3:16
Let this be your admonition each morning as you wake up— to be a servant, to seek the Kingdom of God first above your own!
Each time I discuss a Fruit of the Spirit I will provide a Fruit of the Spirit Card. Print them out or create cards of your own. These cards are designed to help you remember the fruit that God wants to reflect in you.
Todays fruit is meekness. Next time I will discuss peace.
Also check out Bible Made Simple— YouTube for the video entitled, Meekness and Humility by April Cassidy.
Fruit of the Spirit Card
